10 Quality Breakfasts to Fuel Your Long Run

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and this is especially true for long-distance runners. When you're deep in the throes of training, you're likely starting your long runs first thing in the morning, which means you need to start fueling accordingly right from the start.

According to Starla Garcia, M.Ed, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian in Houston, it is important to eat before a long run to help your metabolism wake up. It also allows you to use the calories that you've consumed so your body doesn't start utilizing energy from your muscles. Preserving your muscle stores will reduce soreness later on.

"Eating breakfast provides your body with energy to fuel your run so that you also don't start to plateau or feel bonked out halfway," Garcia says. "You want to feel strong for as long as possible and eating a breakfast can definitely help you feel your best the longer you runs get."

Ideally, consuming a carbohydrate (food that will break down into sugar) and a protein will help you stay satisfied throughout your run, Garcia says. "I also recommend staying away from foods that are super high in fiber and dairy products, as these can cause stomach distress for some runners."

Here are 10 quality breakfast options to keep you feeling strong during your long training runs.